The NFU, the British Poultry Council and the British Egg Industry Council are united in calling for permit charges and the annual substance fee to be waived for three years to help farmers recoup losses caused by Avian Influenza which cost them around £58m in lost revenue.

NFU poultry board chairman Charles Bourns said: “The moral argument for this request by the industry is simple. By refusing to apply for EU financial assistance towards the £58 million that avian influenza has so far cost poultry farmers, the Government has left the industry in a situation where it simply cannot afford to pay the IPPC charges.

“The Government’s failure to support the claim cost poultry farmers at least £8 million in EU support. And what really rubbed salt in the wounds was the fact that they actually supported compensation for poultry farmers in 14 other EU member states.

“That was on top of damage to our market, as surplus meat from the rest of Europe entered the UK. We now need help and this request for assistance is just a drop in the ocean. The Government keeps talking about supporting sustainable farming businesses, well this is the time to act and support British poultry farmers, who receive nothing in subsidies but continue to provide quality, fresh products to the consumer every day.

“The NFU and poultry industry are not against the regulation – many of the proposed controls are already in place as good working practice. The UK Government was not minded to support poultry farmers during tough times but withdrawing the costs of these unaffordable fees is within its control. It is imperative we get a three-year waiver on the IPPC costs to help poultry farmers recover losses caused by Avian Influenza.”

ThePoultrySite News Desk